IAIN HUBBARD FROM RUSHDEN SENTENCED FOR GROOMING 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN BELGIUM VIA FACEBOOK

In a disturbing case that highlights the dangers of online grooming, Iain Hubbard, a 44-year-old man from Rushden, Northamptonshire, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for his involvement in grooming a young girl from Belgium. The incident came to light after Hubbard engaged in a series of manipulative and predatory communications with the girl, who was only 13 years old at the time.

According to court reports, Hubbard initiated contact with the girl in August 2011 through Facebook, a popular social networking platform. The girl, who was grieving the recent loss of her father, was vulnerable and susceptible to manipulation. Hubbard, knowing her age, quickly established a false sense of intimacy, convincing her that they were in a romantic relationship. Prosecutor Mary Loram detailed how Hubbard exploited her emotional state, gradually coercing her into sending explicit photographs of himself.

Ms. Loram explained that Hubbard also pressured the girl to remove her clothing in front of a web camera and perform sexual acts. Despite her reluctance, Hubbard used guilt-tripping tactics, telling her that she would do these things because she loved him. This manipulation was part of a calculated effort to exploit her vulnerability and innocence.

The police investigation began in October 2011 when Hubbard was arrested. Authorities managed to trace several of the explicit images and messages exchanged between Hubbard and the girl, despite many of the communications having been deleted. The evidence collected was crucial in building the case against him.

Hubbard appeared at Northampton Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including causing or inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity and three counts of making indecent photographs of a child. His defense, represented by Maxine Kroner, highlighted that Hubbard was a former member of the armed forces and was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder at the time of the offenses. Kroner also noted that Hubbard had been experiencing severe depression and was drinking heavily during the period when the crimes occurred.

However, the presiding judge, Recorder Rachel Brand QC, emphasized the severity of Hubbard’s actions, stating, “This girl was at a particularly vulnerable time in her life and this was highly manipulative behaviour by you. You were fully aware of her age.”

As part of his sentence, Hubbard will be registered as a sex offender for the next ten years, a measure intended to protect the public and monitor his activities moving forward. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by online predators and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable young individuals from exploitation.